Back Pain Surgery

Back pain surgery at NSMC

North Shore Medical Center (NSMC) provides a range of treatment options for patients who need back pain surgery. As the largest health care provider on the North Shore, NSMC can provide patients access to a world-class back and spine specialist, as well as referrals to excellent sub-specialists at North Shore Medical Center, North Shore Physicians Group, and other hospitals in the Partners HealthCare network, including Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Spine physicians at NSMC work closely with patients and other neurological specialists to develop the best course of treatment for patients experiencing back pain. Patients will likely first consult with our medical spine specialists to explore non-surgical treatment options. Should surgery be required, our back pain surgery specialists provide a full range of surgical options.

Types of back pain surgery performed at NSMC

Microdiscectomy, where surgeons remove part of a herniated disc to relieve back pain resulting from pressure on a nerve root or the spinal cord.

Spinal stenosis treatment, where a device is placed into the back to restrict movement, addressing the pain and symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Microsurgical decompression, where surgeons remove a small portion of the bone over the nerve root or disc material from under the nerve root, giving the nerve room to heal.

Complex back pain surgery at NSMC may include:

Kyphoplasty for osteoporotic compression fractures

Artificial disc replacement

Computer guided surgery

Surgery for advanced degenerative conditions

Surgery for spondylolisthesis

Alternatives to back pain surgery

Many conditions that result in back pain may be treated effectively without spine surgery. Before deciding on back pain surgery, our physicians may recommend a variety of non-surgical procedures such as aquatic therapy, spinal injections, physical therapy, and medication.

Find a neurosurgeon for back pain surgery

To find a back pain surgery specialist, you may ask your primary care physician for a referral or use Find a Doctor on our website. This tool allows you to search for a physician by name, by practice name or by specialty, as well as by location, gender and languages spoken.